Institute For The Future

New Study Documents Savings from Health Promotion

Disease Prevention Could Lead to Significant Savings

The Trust for America's Health has released a report that posits that a small investment in disease prevention can lead to significant savings for both public and private health care programs. Prevention for a Healthier America found that a modest investment of $10 per person per year in proven community-based programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five years.

According to the report, the evidence shows that implementing these programs in communities reduces rates of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure by five percent within two years; reduces heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke by five percent within five years; and reduces some forms of cancer, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 2.5 percent within 10 to 20 years.